Optimizing a printing process for subsequent finishing procedure

Abstract

In a system and a method for optimizing a printing process, toner adhesion information is acquired that identifies a toner adhesion characteristic of a printed image. The toner adhesion information may identify at least one of (a) a characteristic of toner voids present in the test print, and (b) a relative indication of how easily toner may be removed from the test print. Based at least upon the toner adhesion information, a fuser pressure, a fuser temperature, or both are adjusted (“print job adjustment”). The print job adjustment is used for printing a print job prior to performing a finishing procedure on the print job. The print job adjustment improves an image quality of the print job subsequent to the finishing procedure.

1. A method for optimizing a printing process, the method performed at least in part by a computer and comprising the steps of:
 receiving toner adhesion information identifying at least one of (a) a characteristic of toner voids present in a printed image, and (b) an indication of how easily toner may be removed from the printed image; and 
 adjusting a fuser pressure, a fuser temperature, or both based at least upon the toner adhesion information, 
 wherein the adjusted fuser pressure, the adjusted fuser temperature, or both are used for printing a print job prior to performing a finishing procedure on the print job, the adjusting step improving a performance of the finishing procedure when performed on the print job. 
 
   
   
     2. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
 printing the print job (“printed print job”) using the adjusted fuser pressure, the adjusted fuser temperature, or both; and 
 subjecting the printed print job to the subsequent finishing procedure. 
 
   
   
     3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the finishing procedure is a glossing procedure. 
   
   
     4. A method for improving a performance of a finishing procedure performed on a print job, the method comprising the steps of:
 performing a test print of an image with a printing device; 
 receiving toner adhesion information identifying a toner adhesion characteristic of the test print in a state when the test print has not been subjected to the finishing procedure; and 
 identifying an adjustment (“print job adjustment”), based at least upon the toner adhesion information, to a fuser pressure, a fuser temperature, or both, to be used for printing the print job prior to performing the finishing procedure on the print job, the adjustment configured to improve the toner adhesion characteristic and improve a performance of the finishing procedure when performed on the print job. 
 
   
   
     5. The method of  claim 4 , further comprising the steps of:
 receiving parameter information identifying at least one of a substrate weight, a substrate type, a substrate surface type, and a type of finishing procedure; and 
 identifying an adjustment (“test print adjustment”) to a fuser pressure, a fuser discharge level, or both, based at least upon the parameter information, the test print adjustment to be used for performing the test print. 
 
   
   
     6. The method of  claim 5 ,
 wherein the test print adjustment includes an adjustment (“test print fuser pressure adjustment”) to the fuser pressure to be used for performing the test print, 
 wherein the print job adjustment includes an adjustment to the test print fuser pressure adjustment (“adjusted test print fuser pressure adjustment”), and 
 wherein the adjusted test print fuser pressure adjustment is used for printing the print job prior to performing the finishing procedure on the print job. 
 
   
   
     7. The method of  claim 5 , wherein the test print adjustment includes an adjustment to the fuser discharge level (“adjusted fuser discharge level”) used for performing the test print, and the adjusted fuser discharge level also is used for printing the print job prior to performing the finishing procedure on the print job. 
   
   
     8. The method of  claim 4 , further comprising the steps of:
 recording a fuser temperature during the step of performing a test print; and 
 generating temperature information by comparing the recorded fuser temperature to a target fuser temperature, 
 wherein the identifying step identifies the print job adjustment based at least upon the toner adhesion information and the temperature information, and the print job adjustment includes an adjustment to the fuser temperature based at least upon the temperature information. 
 
   
   
     9. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the recording step records the fuser temperature at one time or over a defined period of time when an approximately minimum fuser temperature occurs or is expected to occur. 
   
   
     10. The method of  claim 4 , wherein the toner adhesion information identifies at least one of (a) a characteristic of toner voids present in the test print, and (b) a relative indication of how easily toner may be removed from the test print. 
   
   
     11. The method of  claim 4 , wherein the finishing procedure is a glossing procedure. 
   
   
     12. The method of  claim 4 , wherein the print job adjustment includes an adjustment to the fuser pressure, and wherein the adjustment is carried out by adjusting a fuser nipwidth. 
   
   
     13. The method of  claim 4 , wherein the print job adjustment includes an adjustment to the fuser temperature, and wherein the adjustment is carried out by adjusting a fuser energy flow. 
   
   
     14. The method of  claim 4 , wherein the print job adjustment ensures that release fluid build-up on a substrate used to print the print job does not substantially adversely affect the subsequent finishing procedure. 
   
   
     15. The method of  claim 4 , further comprising the steps of:
 printing the print job (“printed print job”) using the print job adjustment; and 
 subjecting the printed print job to the subsequent finishing procedure. 
 
   
   
     16. The method of  claim 15 , wherein the print job is a duplex print job, and a last side printed of the printed print job is subjected to the subsequent finishing procedure. 
   
   
     17. A printing system comprising:
 an electrophotographic printing apparatus configured at least to print a test print of an image and to print a final print of the image; 
 a finishing device configured at least to form a finish on the final print of the image; and 
 a toner adhesion inspection system communicatively connected to the electrophotographic printing apparatus and configured to transmit toner adhesion information to the electrophotographic printing apparatus identifying a toner adhesion characteristic of the test print in a state when the test print has not been finished by the finishing device, 
 wherein the electrophotographic printing apparatus prints the final print using an adjusted fuser pressure, an adjusted fuser temperature, or both, based at least upon the toner adhesion information, the adjustment(s) configured to improve the toner adhesion characteristic and improve performance of the finishing device when forming the finish on the final print of the image. 
 
   
   
     18. Instructions stored in a computer-accessible memory for executing a method for improving a performance of a finishing procedure performed on a print job, wherein the instructions comprise:
 instructions for performing a test print of an image with a printing device; 
 instructions for providing toner adhesion information identifying a toner adhesion characteristic of the test print in a state when the test print has not been subjected to the finishing procedure; and 
 instructions for causing identification of an adjustment (“print job adjustment”) based at least upon the toner adhesion information, to a fuser pressure, a fuser temperature, or both, to be used for printing the print job prior to performing the finishing procedure on the print job, the adjustment improving the toner adhesion characteristic and improving a performance of the finishing procedure when performed on the print job. 
 
   
   
     19. The instructions stored in a computer-accessible memory of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 instructions for printing the print job (“printed print job”) using the adjusted fuser pressure, the adjusted fuser temperature, or both; and 
 subjecting the printed print job to the subsequent finishing procedure. 
 
   
   
     20. Instructions stored in a computer-accessible memory of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 instructions for providing parameter information identifying at least one of a substrate weight, a substrate type, a substrate surface type, and a type of finishing procedure; and 
 instructions for identifying an adjustment (“test print adjustment”) to a fuser pressure, a fuser discharge level, or both, based at least upon the parameter information, the test print adjustment to be used for performing the test print.